Northwestern Mutual Internship Top-Rated by Vault

Internship Experts at Vault, Inc. Name Northwestern Mutual a Top 10 program for Eleventh Straight Year
MILWAUKEE, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- For the eleventh consecutive year, the Northwestern Mutual internship program has been named a top ten program by the internship experts at Vault, Inc. The Northwestern Mutual Financial Network joins The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and INROADS as the only programs to be named top ten internships since the debut of the Vault Guide to Top Internships was released in 1996.

"We're honored that our internship program has again been named a top ten program by the experts at Vault, Inc.," says Michael Van Grinsven, director of the Northwestern Mutual Internship program. "It is a testament to the company's commitment to our future leaders, but more importantly a reflection on the dedicated and talented students that gain a world-class experience in the program."

The Vault Guide to Internships, 2007, bases its internship rankings on a variety of factors, including substantive work, compensation, real-world experiences, selectivity, subjective expertise and how internships with the company are perceived to potential employers.

A financial representative intern with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network gains the same knowledge and training as full-time representatives, learning the basics of the insurance and financial services industry. They are compensated on a performance-based system, and provided mentoring and support from seasoned veterans throughout the office.

Since 1967, more than 20,000 students have gained valuable knowledge regarding the business and financial world through the internship program with Northwestern Mutual. Annually, the program offers internships to more than 1,000 students, a number that the company intends to double over the coming years.

"As we celebrate our 40th anniversary of the internship program in 2007, we're thrilled to see the program continue to grow and be such a beneficial experience to thousands of students across the country. This program lays the foundation for tomorrow's leaders at Northwestern Mutual or in other professions students pursue," notes Van Grinsven, himself an alumnus of the internship program.

In fact, 25 percent of Managing Partners, Managing Directors and Field Directors with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network started their career as interns, and 20 percent of the company's top producing financial representatives started as interns. For more information about the internship program, visit http://www.internship.nmfn.com/ or http://www.nminternship.com/.

The Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, the marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual), provides expert guidance on insurance, investment products and services, retirement and estate analysis, education funding and employee benefits.

Northwestern Mutual, the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance, according to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, has always received the best possible insurance financial strength ratings from Standard & Poor's, Fitch Ratings, A. M. Best and Moody's. For 23 years, a FORTUNE magazine survey has named Northwestern Mutual "Most Admired" in its industry. The company has also been recognized as one of the "50 Best Companies to Sell For," by Selling Power magazine (2006).

The company, its subsidiaries and affiliates are also providers of annuities, mutual funds, long-term care insurance and disability income insurance. Among its affiliated companies are those that comprise the Russell Investment Group, which provide investment management and advisory services; Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), a wholly-owned company of Northwestern Mutual, broker-dealer and member NASD and SIPC; and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, a wholly-owned company of Northwestern Mutual, limited purpose federal savings bank and a registered investment adviser which provides financial planning, investment management and trust services. A subsidiary, Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, offers long-term care insurance. Further information on Northwestern Mutual, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can be found at: http://www.nmfn.com/.

SOURCE: Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

CONTACT: Jean Towell, +1-800-323-7033,
mediarelations@northwesternmutual.com

Web site: http://www.nmfn.com/
http://www.internship.nmfn.com/